After being on top of the world for quite a long period of time (which I'm so very grateful for), I am going through a terrible flare (assuming), the reason(s) for which I think I know...both physical and emotional stress in short order. My thyroid panel has not been this fabulous in decades, my vitamins are all on board. So I really do believe it is just the above stressful situations that kicked me into this hole. I also think it is even harder on me now that I have been in such a good place for so long and had almost forgotten how powerfully evil this disease can be. I know that "this, too, shall pass", but right now it is getting me down no end.
Anyway, I'm fishing for a little bit of a pick-me-up and will gratefully receive any and all encouragement to get me through to the end of the tunnel. Thank you. 💝
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buddy99
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Isn’t it funny how the human body and mind can actually forget that at one point we actually felt like we were at death’s door? One good stretch… heck even a good few days… and somehow the strength and sharpness of it all disappears from our memory until brought back by comparison.
When you say your bloods are great - have you done a panel since this episode? Just curious if truly nothing changed in your bloods at all between feeling ok and not?
Also will say - whether a flare or stress or whatever it is, esp if your meds and bloods are stable - well then, I bet some self care, good nights sleeps, eating well and all that will do wonders.
Lately I’ve been noticing that one bad night of sleep or a night of too little sleep and I just can’t recover like I used to. But if I make sure my habits stay in place. I do pretty well!
One of the secrets of a contented life is learning to treat the downs in the same way that we treat the ups. Happiness cannot exist without sadness, and failing to understand that the universe that we live in only exists because every part of it has its opposite is what causes our misery.
We may not be able to control the influences on our lives, but we can control how we react to them. Knowing this gives us a lot more power than we realised that we had.
When life is a bit of a struggle we make progress. When we are comfortable we make none. So congratulations on your period of progress.
I used to watch Bob Ross quite often and he used to say that, in his paintings, he needed a bit of dark just to appreciate the light more and that applied to life too… I hope your life will soon return back to, what we can so often think of as normal buddy99 and this too will fade into memory. 🤗
It sure is a very good reminder to take the good with the bad. I was just getting very comfortable feeling great. Once this is over, I get to appreciate the good times again. Whether I'm making any progress will have to be seen. There certainly has been progression since I first started my journey with this disease as my travel companion. One of the things I have learned is to ask others to help me through these "periods of progression". Hence my post. Thank for the congratulations.
Yes, just like anything else, the theory is easier than the practice. But 'where there's a will there's a way' is very true too. And when we learned to walk we probably fell down many times, but that didn't stop us getting up again and getting to where we are now.
Maybe it goes into the direction of asking, "Is it in my control?" If so, what can I do. If not, let it go. Or "Nothing is good or bad. It just is. Only our perception makes it so". Thanks to your response to my post, I dug up my Stoics again and started to deepen the wisdom you shared. But, yes, easier said than done and sometimes I want to just lay where I fell and cry a little bit (like I did sometimes when I learned to walk) before I get up swinging. I still don't have the attitude of Epictetus, though (probably never will), who was said to, when still a slave, have been tortured by his master who twisted his leg. Enduring the pain with complete composure, Epictetus warned Epaphroditus that his leg would break, and when it did break, he said, ‘There, did I not tell you that it would break?’ No, I want to scream and holler and cry and complain. And sometimes I want a hug, like the one my mom gave me when I fell and scraped my knee. And then she would blow on my knee and make the pain "fly away". Hugs, even virtual ones, are nice. And practical advice like "get up and keep going" is useful. Whatever works, I guess.
p.s.: I like the philosophical direction this took.
We are all different in that we are at differing stages of our evolution. A milk diet is a suitable for a baby, but not for an adult. Likewise, some philosophy suits some, but not others. Personally, I think that it can benefit anybody to realise that we have more control than we may realise. For me, life is less stressful knowing that.
Eating a good diet might mean you sleep more soundly and feel more ready to face the stresses and strains each day. Lots of protein; fibre in the form of beans and lentils as well as the compulsory veg and fruit; and good fats in the form of avocado, extra virgin olive oil and nuts and seeds. Come on Buddy99 you can get through this 😀👍😘!
Excellent advice, mtsp. Thank you, most of all for the encouragement. My body needs the loving care. I had an infection that lasted for months. Then there was a "restructuring" at work. We had had one in 2022 and this was another one. In my "weakened state" I did not want to face the stress of this whole procedure again and retired. I guess that was the last straw. My body packed it in. With good care it will come around. My spirit just needed some love to overcome the frustration etc. I will get through it. I've done it before. Starting to feel better already, mentally if not physically. It's a good start. Thank you.
often the first year after retirement can raise health issues as any stresses and strains can come to the surface once your adrenaline decreases. Take it easy whilst you readjust and find things that you now have the time to enjoy. I always feel better after a walk, swim or a bit of stretchy yoga. More time with family and friends and time to appreciate nature is a plus. Hope you feel better soon
Thank you Benjipuss. I agree with you 100%. Everybody was so excited for me, but I loved my job and initiated a number of children's and adult's programs which I also led. It has been two months and I'm slowly getting the hang of retirement. However, I also miss my work some days. I'm a bit in a twilight zone. Retirement is not necessary "riding into the sunset" 😜 The cats sure are happy to have me home more. Walks in nature and a bit of yoga sounds great. Friends and family are busy, busy, busy. They need to retire. 😂 It was kind of you respond. Thank you.
I have found, over the years, that immersing myself in one of the senses for a while can help. Totally listening to some good music (Mozart for me, but the Stones if you like!), a hot bath with a few drops of black pepper oil (an unexpected smell), taking the time to look at nature, dew on a cobweb, a grass in flower, a tree in full leaf. Seeing how long you can make a chocolate button or a fruit gum last...
I gave a friend the gift of a massage by a professional. She said she was floating for quite a while afterwards. Worth a thought, even if you can just persuade a friend to give you a foot massage for 10 minutes. Anything that switches off the world and makes you smile really.
I find it very theraputic slinging slugs from my garden into outer space.
Yes, I love your advice, serenfach. And your hug. I really like art and philosophy. That's what I immerse myself in right now. And it is a fabulous distraction until my body has recovered. Thank you.
If thyroid and nutrients are at a good level, perhaps you could think of testing your cortisol now. A saliva test for cortisol is the best one I know of.
Sadly the Regenerus price has risen hugely in the last year or two.
Hi humanbean sorry to jump in. I'm thinking of buying the Medichecks cortisol salava test before the 20% off runs out tomorrow. Do you not think this is as reliable as Regenerus (used them last time). Thank you
2) Some of the results that are provided are given as "less than X" and ranges are "less than Y". They tend to end up being difficult to interpret. For example :
Result < 0.8 ; Range < 0.4 or vice versa.
The Regenerus test and the Genova test give results that include more precision i.e. avoid "less than" results and ranges.
Optimal cortisol results are shown in Example 1 on this link :
It is difficult or impossible to use "less than" results and ranges with the optimals suggested in the above link.
There are new companies setting up to do lab testing that have been mentioned in recent months. It would always be worthwhile to post asking which companies are doing good tests at a reasonable cost before spending any money.
That roller coaster ride again. 😏 Daunting, but from the great advice you give to all of us, you know you’ve got this. Be good to yourself as you work your way through. And keep us all posted 🥰
Thank you, Pandora70, for your encouragement. Feeling so well for such a good stretch of time, I had forgotten about the roller coaster. Now that I have reached the bottom of the ride, it can only go back up again. Just needed the extra push.
Thank you for posting this, Buddy. For over 30 years now I have suffered from these roller coaster rides. For most of that time I felt helpless to do anything except wait for it to be over. I did not understand or know anyone who was going through the same thing. It would have helped if I did. Hang in there and be as kind to yourself as possible. You are not alone.
Thank you, teenarocks, for your kind words. This is such a fabulous community to turn to in times of need. I'm glad you are here and also not alone. It is good to see so many different approaches to the same challenge and to feel all these helping hands reaching out to support and encourage.
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💝
Walks in nature and a bit of yoga sounds great. Friends and family are busy, busy, busy. They need to retire. 😂 It was kind of you respond. Thank you.
Eyebrows have started growing again : )
Need Advice Please 
Increased anxiety…
I’m fine. Really?
